With both teams going into the second leg even with no goals scored, the team that wins Oct. 14 will advance to the NASL championship series.

“This home-and-home series is like one big game, and the important thing was to come out of this game well-positioned heading home,” Scorpions coach Tim Hankinson said. “Every game between us is going to be tight, and they are a dangerous team. Hopefully, we'll have some more goals in San Antonio.”

Scorpions forward Pablo Campos had the first scoring chance for San Antonio early, blasting a shot from long distance that went wide of the net in the third minute.

One of the first shots on goal for the Stars came in the 10th minute, when Jamie Watson took a shot that was collected by Scorpions goalkeeper Daryl Sattler.

In the 12th minute, a free kick by Hans Denissen from several yards outside of the penalty area made its way into the top left corner of the box but was stopped by Minnesota goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel.

The teams played tight defense for much of the remainder of the half.

The Scorpions came out more aggressively in the second half, quickly looking to go ahead as the frontline crowded the box in the 47th minute. But a cross in the box from Blake Wagner to Campos was well-defended.

Campos would get another chance in the 52nd minute off a pass from Walter Ramirez, but was unable to score.